How To Start An LLC In Minnesota 2024?
Reviewed by Kristina Knight, Journalist , BA
The article is checked by our editorial team, Which includes entrepreneurs who are painfully aware of how overwhelming and challenging it is to start a business for the first time.
Starting a new business can be an arduous process. It involves thinking up an awesome idea, dreaming and planning to make the idea a reality, actually following through with your plan, and pivoting when the inevitable changing of plans has to happen. There are many steps to the process, and so many chances along the way to give up on your dream to start a new business. One of these overwhelming decisions is the choice of how to form your new business. You could choose an S-Corp, a C-Corp, an LLC, or a sole proprietorship. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, but some are better than others for your specific situation.
If you’re overwhelmed with which business model is right for you, an LLC can be a great place to start your small business journey. They offer personal protection, and a great tax model for small businesses just starting since you can file your business income along with your taxable personal income.
6 Basic Steps To Start An LLC In Connecticut 2024
- Choose a name for your LLC
- Choose a registered agent
- File articles of organization
- Create an LLC operating agreement
- Obtain an EIN
- Annual Tax
How To Start An LLC In Minnesota?
Starting an LLC in Minnesota has never been easier. There are 6 crucial steps that LLC owners should take to start their Minnesota LLC.
Choose A Name For Your LLC In Minnesota
One important piece of starting a business in Minnesota is coming up with a business name. Your business name is the first impression your customers will get of your new company, so make sure it accurately describes your business and seems memorable.
When forming a Minnesota LLC, you must also follow a few requirements when deciding on an LLC name. It’s important to review these requirements when naming your Minnesota entity.
Naming Rules In Minnesota
For most states, LLCs are required to have a unique name that no other state LLC already has. They are also required to contain a word, phrase, or acronym that indicates their limited liability status. Check out the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website[1] to find out more details about naming your new LLC.
Searching Available Names In Minnesota
One helpful feature on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website is its name search page.[2] This helps new business owners check to see if their potential LLC name is available for use.
You can also reserve the business name you desire for a fee online or in person if you need a while to fill out your articles of organization.
Choose A Registered Agent In Minnesota
Even though it’s not technically required in the state of Minnesota, designating a registered agent or registered agent service is an excellent idea. This individual or business entity will serve as the receiver and sender of any legal correspondence.
File Organizational Paperwork With The State
As you decide on your company name and designate a registered agent, you’ll need to fill out articles of organization. Articles of organization are precisely what they sound like.
In order to fill out articles of organization properly, you’ll need your business name, registered agent, complete mailing addresses, and some demographic details.
Pro tip: make sure you fill each detail out with accuracy, so you don’t have to file your articles and pay the filing fee again. This paperwork can be filed online or in person for a higher fee, or you can mail in the fee and your articles of organization.
Prepare An LLC Operating Agreement
Your operating agreement is an internal document that isn’t required to start a limited liability company,[3] but it’s highly recommended.
Operating agreements outline who does what in a business, as well as what operations are essential for the company to keep functioning. Operating agreements are key to succeeding as a business if you’d like to hire employees.
A Minnesota LLC operating agreement is going to be crucial for your business to operate smoothly. This drawing up of an operating agreement is typically done during the business planning phase of creating a new company.
Obtain An EIN For Your LLC In Minnesota
An employer identification number[4] (or EIN, or federal tax identification number) is like a social security number for your Minnesota LLC. To get an employer identification number, you’ll have to apply for one after your business is created.
You can apply for your federal employer identification number online or in person with the Internal Revenue Service.
Annual Tax
There’s no fee for your Minnesota LLC’s annual renewal, but you’ll have to pay taxes[5] on the income from your LLC (this rate depends upon where your total income falls in the tax structure).
Each year you’ll need to submit a Minnesota annual renewal report for your business. A Minnesota annual report does not require a fee, but to conduct business in a legitimate manner you must file this annual report.
What Is An LLC?
An LLC is a form of business that helps protect your personal assets and personal liability while letting you combine your business and personal income on your taxes.
It’s kind of a win-win if you’re looking for a simple business model that protects your assets in the case of a lawsuit or business failure. LLC stands for Minnesota limited liability company, and it is a business entity that truly limits your personal liability. An LLC can have just one owner, or it can be a limited liability partnership.
In the case that you have any issues or lawsuits, your personal assets won’t be seized if you have an LLC. You’ll also be able to combine your business income with your personal income, which helps simplify your tax filing process. No complicated tax forms are required, and no problem if you start a side hustle that doesn’t work out in the end, although we hope for the best with our ventures.
What Is An LLC In Minnesota?
In Minnesota, LLCs are a popular way to form a new business. Minnesota residents can file their LLC online or in person with a filing fee of $135, and it only takes a few days for the secretary of state to process your paperwork and okay your new registered LLC.
It’s a great time to be an entrepreneur in this state, since consumers are beginning to shop again after the pandemic, and the economy is on the up and up.
Benefits Of Starting In Minnesota
There are a few benefits to starting a Minnesota LLC, including the fact that the state has a great economic outlaw right now. Entrepreneurs and innovators can expect a robust market to enter, and the excitement of consumerism continues to develop after the pandemic.
Minnesota also offers relatively low LLC filing fees, no fee for annual renewal of your LLC, and an extremely easy-to-use interface on its website. We like how the Minnesota Secretary of State breaks down the process in plain English on their website.
Requirements To Start An LLC In Minnesota
Before you dive in and start your Minnesota LLC, check out the specific requirements that the state sets forth for each new limited liability company.[6]
Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is technically not required by Minnesota law, but it’s a great idea to appoint one so you know exactly when and where all of your legal correspondence will be sent.
A registered agent is really just an appointed representative who will receive official legal documents that may be important and timely. You have three options for appointing a registered agent, but all must have a registered office address in the state of Minnesota:
You can act as your own registered agent, appoint a registered agent service, or designate another professional within your company to act as the registered agent. All of these options must have a business address that exists within the state of Minnesota.
The LLC’s Name Must Be Different From An Existing Business
It is, however, required that your Minnesota LLC have a unique name not already taken by another Minnetora LLC. This will entail reading through the Minnesota LLC naming guidelines and choosing an LLC name that meets these requirements.
Part of the requirements laid out includes picking a business name that is unique so it can be differentiated from other Minnesota LLCs.
How Much Does An LLC Cost In Minnesota?
It costs $135 to start an LLC in Minnesota. This cost is paid directly to the Minnesota Secretary of State if you file your Minnesota LLC on your own. This price is similar to that of many other states, if not a bit lower.
If you choose to use a professional service for filing your LLC, they might also charge a processing fee.
The Top 2 LLC Services In Minnesota
| Product |  |
 |
| Name | ZenBusiness | Northwest Registered Agent |
| Full review | Read full review | Read full review |
| Link | Check Price | Check Price |
ZenBusiness
Zenbusiness is great for beginners who want to start a limited liability company. They offer many options for obtaining business licenses, choosing a business structure, online filings, and even using them as a registered agent.
Zenbusiness’s many pricing ranges and a la carte alternatives for a new enterprise owner are appealing to us.
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest is named accurately since they have some great registered agent services.
They also offer MN LLC formation services with a free registered agent service, as well as incredible customer service representatives available to their customers for any issues that might arise when filling out your Minnesota LLC articles.
You can file your LLC for free with Northwest if you do most of the work, or you can hire them to do the brunt work of filing your Minnesota articles of organization for you.
Final Thoughts
Small business ownership has been made pretty simple in America, but there are still a few hoops to jump through with each state law. Some requirements are the same from state to state, but the Minnesota secretary of state has pretty normal regulations for their new LLCs.
If you’re new to business ownership and trying to navigate the waters of starting your own business in Minnesota, you’re not alone. The good news is that you can file online or in person, and be ready to conduct business with your company with liability protection in just a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, we’d highly recommend opening a business bank account to separate your personal and business assets to keep track of business expenses and business transactions straightforwardly.
Yes, you can act as a registered agent, provided you are at least 18 years of age and have a physical street address within Minnesota that can serve as the registered office.
It’s never a bad idea to separate your personal and business assets. Getting a separate credit card for your business can help you keep track of business expenses with ease.
To do business in Minnesota, all LLCs organized outside of the state must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Foreign LLCs must appoint a registered agent for service of process physically located in Minnesota.
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- State.mn.us. (2023). Office of the State Of Minnesota Secretary of State. [online] Available at: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/start-a-business/naming-your-business/.
- State.mn.us. (2023). Search Business Filings. [online] Available at: https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Business/Search.
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. (2020). Forming a Limited Liability Company / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. [online] Available at: https://mn.gov/deed/business/starting-business/organizing/forming-limited-liability.jsp.
- Irs.gov. (2017). Employer ID Numbers | Internal Revenue Service. [online] Available at: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers.
- State.mn.us. (2023). Taxes and Rates | Minnesota Department of Revenue. [online] Available at: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/guide/taxes-and-rates.
- State.mn.us. (2023). Office of the State Of Minnesota Secretary of State. [online] Available at: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/business-forms-fees/minnesota-limited-liability-company-forms/.